Fruit Benefits
Dr. Chun
Organic Physiological Chemistry
Fall 2014
Chem 2614
Team members:
Jean-pierre Nna-mba
Kimberly Bennett
Cody Wilichowski
Chaz Nelson
Emily Adam
Background Information
Interested in food science!
Two horticulture majors and a food science major.
We like fruit!
Interested in learning about fruit benefits.
Does fruit really benefit your health?
Introduction
Project importance:
Informing our community (NWACC) about the advantages of eating fresh fruits.
How fruit relates to good health/health issues.
Researched fruits:
Bananas, Apples, Grapes, Strawberries, Juicing
Project overview
Research the benefits of fruits for human health.
Survey was used to determine the most popular fruits.
The reasons for consumption of those fruits.
Connection with organic chemistry.
Click on image for survey
Who did what?
Responsibilities:
Jean-pierre Nna-mba: Apple research
Kimberly Bennett: Grape research, survey data
Cody Wilichowski: Research bananas, written report
Chaz Nelson: PowerPoint, Strawberry research
Emily Adam: Juicing research
Content Objectives
Vitamins that fruit contain.
Methods and Technology
Technology Used:
Computer
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
Apples
Antioxidants
are disease-fighting compounds. Scientists believe
these compounds help prevent and repair oxidation
damage that happens during normal cell activity.
Improve neurological health
Prevent cataracts
Boosts your immune system
Detoxify your liver
Apples Continued
Prevent from Diseases
Avoid Alzheimer’s
Protect against Parkinson’s
Curb all sorts of cancer
Get whiter, healthier
Contain important fibers such as pectin
Decrease your risk of diabetes
Reduce cholesterol
Get a healthier heart and good weight
Prevent gallstones
Beat diarrhea and constipation
Apples
Continued
Vitamins and Minerals
Note: the average size of an apple is 150 grams
Source: USDA
Bananas Cardiovascular Health
A first type of cardiovascular benefit from bananas is related to their potassium content. Bananas are a good source of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function
The effectiveness of potassium-rich foods such as bananas in lowering blood pressure has been demonstrated by a number of studies.
Digestive Benefits
Within their total fiber content, bananas also contain pectin. Pectin are unique and complicated types of fiber. Some of the components in pectin are water-soluble, and others are not. As bananas ripen, their water-soluble pectin increase, and this increase is one of the key reasons why bananas become softer in texture as they ripen.
Athletic performance
The unique mix of vitamins, minerals, and low glycemic carbohydrates in bananas has made them a favorite fruit among endurance athletes. Their easy portability, low expense, and great taste also help support their popularity in this exclusive group.
Grapes
One cup of red or green grapes has 104 calories, 1.09g protein, 0.24g fat, 1.4g fiber,
4.8mg vitamin C, 10 micrograms vitamin A, 288mg potassium, 0.54mg iron, and 3
micrograms of folate.
Antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin are important for eye health.
Benefits – may prevent or slow some cancers, and lower risk of heart disease
and high blood pressure.
Phytochemical resveratrol, found in the skin of red grapes
Benefits – may help in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, ease hot flashes and mood
swings related to menopause, and improve controlling glucose levels.
Flavonoids myricetin and quercetin help your body fight against harmful free
radicals.
Benefits – may reduce the risks of heard disease by lowering bad cholesterol.
Potassium and fiber
Benefits – potassium can lower blood pressure, and fiber along with high water
content can prevent or alleviate constipation.
• One cup of grapes = about 32 grapes
• Zeaxanthin (ze-a-zan-thin)
• Many types of cancer may be prevented or slowed by antioxidants,
such as, esophageal, lung, mouth, pharynx, endometrial, pancreatic,
prostate, and colon cancers.
• The high content of antioxidants may prevent the build-up of
platelets; anti-inflammatory properties lower risk of HD and high BP.
• Although more human studies are needed to verify, resveratrol (res-
vere-e-trol) may help in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, ease hot
flashes and mood swings related to menopause, and improve
controlling glucose levels.
• Quercetin (kwer-ce-ten) and myricetin (my-ra-stein) have anti-
inflammatory qualities that may help reduce the risk of HD by
lowering BP.
• A low potassium intake is connected to high blood pressure. Grapes’
high potassium content can help counteract the effects of sodium in
the body and lower blood pressure.
• Fruits with a high water content along with fiber can help keep
bowel movements regular and relieve constipation.
Strawberries
Health benefits
Strawberries boost immunity
Strawberries promote eye health
Strawberries help fight cancer
Strawberries with wrinkles
Strawberries fight bad cholesterol
Strawberries reduce inflammation
Strawberries regulate blood pressure
Juicing
Apples, Pineapples, Cranberries
Juicing Apples
High in Pectin: soluble fiber that forms a gel in the intestine.
Ellagic acid: protect against damage to chromosomes and block
cancer causing actions of pollutants. Helps break down
cholesterol in liver.
Fresh Apple Juice: 100-130mg per 1000g of ellagic acid
Children who drank fresh apples juice at least once a day. Were
half as likely to suffer from chronic wheezing, while eating a
whole apple showed no apparent benefits.
Fresh : live enzymes
Bottled : enzymes and anti-oxidants are last
Juicing Pineapples Bromeline : dissolves mucus, beneficial for asthma, hay fever, and sore
throats.
Good for : digestions, aches and pains, asthma, hay fever.
Vitamin C : anti-oxidant to boost immune system.
Vitamin B6 : stabilizes blood sugar and thiamine
Potassium : helps promote kidney function
Warnings : excessive intake can cause uterine contractions in pregnant women.
Fresh : 100% Vitamin C and Bromeline
Canned : Vitamin C and other heat sensitive vitamins are not fully present.
60% Vitamin C
No bromeline
Juicing Cranberries
Benefits : treatment and prevention of bacterial
bladder and UTI’s because proanthocyanidins.
Proanthocyanidins : reduce the ability of E.Coli to
adhere to the lining of bladder, reducing infection pluck
bacteria off unirary tract.
Drinking 16oz cranberry juice helped 73% of 60 people
who had UTIs.
Reduces the amount of ionized calcium in urine by 50%
in patients with kidney stones.
0 5 10 15 20 25
Male
Female
Gender
0 2 4 6 8 10
17-23
24-30
31-37
38-44
45+
Age
Survey Results
0 10 20 30
Yes
No
Have you ever juiced?
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
Carr
ots
Apple
s
Kale
Lem
ons
Gra
pefr
uit
Mangoes
Pears
Ora
nges
Gra
pes
Spin
ach
Pin
eapple
Peaches
Blu
eberr
ies
Sta
wberr
ies
Bannanas
What People Juiced
0
5
10
15
20
25
Fruits Eaten Regularly
0
2
4
6
8
10
1 day 2days
3days
4days
5days
6days
7days
Days Eaten Per Week
0 10 20 30
1-2
3-4
5-6
7 or more
Times Eaten Per Day
0
5
10
15
20
25
Goodsource ofvitamins
Goodsource of
fiber
Tastesgood with
otherfoods
Tastesgoodalone
Low infat
Gives youenergy
Other
Reasons People Eat Fruit
Future Development
Go further into depth of the research of benefits that
other fruits give.
Not just on fruits that everyone eats daily.
Have a larger group of people take the surveys.
Community Contacts
U of A Professor: Dr. Rom
[email protected] (Fruit expert)
U of A Professor: Dr. Evans
[email protected] (Fruit expert)
References
"Vitamin D Structure." Wikimedia. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.
<http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vitamin_D_s
tructure.jpg>.
"Vitamins." Chemical & Engineering News: Top
Pharmaceuticals:. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.
"Why Is It Important to Eat Fruit?" Health and Nutrition
Benefits of Fruit. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.
"23 Superfruits You Need Now!" - Health.com. Web. 22
Sept. 2014.
References
Ware, Megan. "What are the health benefits of grapes?."
Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 29 Aug. 2014.
Web. 30 Nov. 2014.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/271156.ph
p
“15 health benefits of eating apples” : Best Health
Magazine © 2014 Reader's Digest Magazines (Canada)
Ltd.
Medical News Today: What are the health benefits of
apples? Joseph Nordqvist. 30 August 2014.
References
"Strawberry Nutrition." Driscoll's. Web. 3 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.driscolls.com/nutrition-health/berry-
nutrition-facts/strawberry-nutrition>.
Questions???